Sunderland secured their Premier League status against the odds at the end of last season, and now the aim will be to push on and look to break into the top ten this term.

The Black Cats boast a pretty solid squad and manager Sam Allardyce’s transfer dealings last January were spot on, especially with the addition of Jan Kirchhoff and Lamine Kone who made such a difference.

This summer there is cause for more signings at the Stadium of Light, and one area in particular where Sunderland must strengthen is at right-back following the exit of DeAndre Yedlin.

The US international returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur following a successful loan spell on Wearside, and now it leaves the club with no recognised right-back heading in to the new season.

With English players typically overpriced and the Euro 2016 top candidates - such as Croatia’s Sime Vrsalijko - earning big moves to the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sunderland may need to look elsewhere.

In Spain, Real Sociedad’s young fullback Aritz Elustondo has been making great strides in the Basque region and he is exactly the sort of under-the-radar player Sunderland should move for.

The 22-year-old only broke in to the Basque side’s first-team set-up 18 months ago, yet his development has been impressive and this last season he was statistically one of La Liga’s best right-backs.

Elustondo averaged 2.4 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and 3.2 effective clearances per league match, while in possession he notched an average 78.1% pass accuracy rate over the course of the campaign.

The San Sebastian youngster earned a cap for the Spanish under-21 side earlier this year, and in time he could go on to become a full international as a long-term Alvaro Arbeloa replacement.

Despite having a contract until 2020, Elustondo is unlikely to have a big asking price and his versatility makes him an even more desirable option considering he is also capable at playing in central defence.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.